Mobile Applications for Co-Assessing Diverse Place Typologies

The use of mobile application tools in co-assessing diverse place typologies is envisioned to demonstrate the power of technologies to advance our understanding of the relationship between people and their environments. Drawing on two case examples—the ‘YouWalk-UOS’ and the ‘YouWalk-YouReclaim’ applications are employed to co-assess urban open spaces and university campus environments by utilising Likert-scale checklists with aggregate scores of pertinent dimensions and factors.

The ‘YouWalk-UOS’ application facilitates a multi-dimensional assessment of urban open spaces (UOS), integrating functional, social, and perceptual dimensions. Unlike static data collection methods this mobile application harnesses real-time, multi-dimensional data through a participatory framework to gather valuable insights into user experience and space utilisation. This participatory method overcomes the limitations of traditional assessments, which often oversimplify the emotional and social dimensions of spaces. Therefore, it empowers users to actively engage in voicing their opinions about their environment. Data was analysed through multi-dimensional Likert-scale scoring, real-time user feedback, and image documentation—validated via pilot testing at Grey’s Monument in Newcastle, UK. (Salama & Patil, 2024). The findings demonstrate how integrating smart technology into urban assessments can potentially yield more responsive, inclusive, and socially sustainable urban spaces. Similarly, the ‘YouWalk-YouReclaim’ application, deployed at the Northumbria University campus, emphasises co-assessing campus environments post-pandemic (Patil et al., 2024). By allowing students and staff to evaluate campus spaces regarding accessibility, safety, and functionality, the application supports a dynamic approach to managing campus environments. It aids in understanding spatial dynamics, user experiences, and areas of improvement. With over 100 students from diverse fields engaging with the application, this work accentuates the importance of user-centred assessment in fostering adaptable, resilient, and inclusive campuses. The real-time feedback and image documentation capabilities contribute to ongoing improvements in campus infrastructure and planning.

Both applications demonstrate the value of participatory assessment in promoting urban and campus resilience. By incorporating user-generated data into the evaluation process, these tools enable continuous monitoring and adaptation of spaces to meet evolving community needs. The integration of smart technology, particularly in capturing real-time data, is central to creating environments that are functional and sustainable as well as emotionally supportive and inclusive. These mobile applications play a critical role in understanding the dynamic interplay between physical design, social interaction, and individual well-being. Future work is planned to expand these findings by exploring how these tools can be applied in diverse place typologies, incorporating longitudinal studies to evaluate the long-term impacts of mobile co-assessment on urban and campus resilience. With these innovative approaches, this work emphasises the transformative potential of mobile applications in participatory assessment, ultimately contributing to the broader goals of urban resilience and sustainability.

References:

Patil, M. P., Salama, A. M., Arnfield, J., & Alvanides, S. (2024). YouWalk-YouReclaim: A Co-assessment Approach for Active University Campus Environments. Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, (ahead-of-print). https://doi.org/10.1108/SASBE-06-2024-0228
Salama, A. M., & Patil, M. P. (2024). A Mobile Application Tool for Co-assessing Urban Open Spaces – A Test Case of the Grey’s Monument, Newcastle, UK. Journal of Urban Design, 1–27, (ahead-of-print).
https://doi.org/10.1080/13574809.2024.2363818